Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called on the government to clarify whether the country’s embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia fulfilled its responsibilities during the judicial proceedings against two Bangladeshi citizens whose death sentences were recently carried out in the holy city of Makkah.
In a statement, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the executions had sparked discussions and criticism across Bangladesh’s mainstream media and social media platforms, raising questions about the role of the country’s diplomatic mission.
He noted that a significant number of Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, making it essential for the government and its diplomatic missions to safeguard the rights and interests of expatriate citizens.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief expressed concern over statements by government officials indicating that they learned about the cases only after the executions had been carried out.
While acknowledging that every country conducts judicial proceedings under its own laws, he stressed that the government should inform the public whether the Bangladeshi embassy or consulate had been involved in the cases and fulfilled its responsibilities.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman also called for clarification regarding the crimes for which the two men were sentenced to death and the measures taken by the government or the embassy to address any related issues among Bangladeshi expatriates.
He emphasized that no Bangladeshi citizen living abroad should be deprived of the consular assistance they are entitled to during legal proceedings.
He further said the government had a primary responsibility to raise awareness among expatriates about complying with the laws of their host countries while protecting the country’s dignity and interests.
Concluding his statement, Dr Shafiqur Rahman urged people to reflect on their own responsibilities rather than focus solely on the cases of the two individuals whose sentences had been carried out, expressing hope that good would prevail.